Adjustable brace



July 4, 1967 P. J. BARBER 3,329,388

ADJUSTABLE BRACE Filed July 14, 1966 IN VEN TOR.

P g FER J. BARBER ATT'Y United States Patent 3,329,388 ADJUSTABLE BRACE Peter J. Barber, Oak Lawn, 11]., assignor of one-third to Joseph Barber and one-third to Theodore Salmon, both of Chicago, Ill. Substituted for abandoned application Ser. No. 356,783, Apr. 2, 1964. This application July 14, 1966, Ser. No.

2 Claims. (31. 248-354) This application is a substitute of Ser. No. 356,783, filed Apr. 2, 1964, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to an adjustable brace for internally supporting a roll of material or the like.

Rolls of sheet material when stored on their sides and especially when stacked in this manner, frequently flatten or tend to collapse. Individual rolls may sag under their own weight, and lower layers of rolls in a stack yield to the weight of the rolls above them. As a result, an objectionable set or crimp may be imparted to the rolled material. There is also the danger that a stack of rolls may collapse and cause injury to personnel and other damage. It is, therefore, highly desirable to support the rolls so that such harmful results are prevented. It is also frequently advantageous internally to support coiled materials, tubular articles and structures, and the like.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a brace or supportwhich is adjustable for insertion into variously sized rolls, coils, tubes and the like to provide internal support therefor.

Another important object is to provide an extensible brace which may be inserted readily into rolls and the like, then may be extended easily and rapidly at any desired location in the roll to support opposite inner surfaces of the roll, and subsequently, may be retracted for removal of the brace.

An additional object is to provide a brace which is adaptable for use singly, in pairs, or in multiple within individual rolls of material, as may be most desirable.

A further object is to provide a strong and durable brace which is also simple, economical and compact, so that it may be used liberally and stocked in quantity.

Still further objects include the provision of a novel combination of a roll or the like and an adjustable internal brace.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention will be apparent on reference to the accompanying specification and to the attached drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein like parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view on a small scale of a group of rolls of sheet metal stacked on their sides, the individual rolls being internally supported by adjustable braces according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a larger scale side elevational view of one embodiment of the adjustable brace of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33- of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, similar to the view of FIG. 3, of one end of a second embodiment of the adjustable brace of the invention, illustrating the differences from the preceding embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of a third embodiment of the adjustable brace of the invention.

In its preferred embodiments, the invention provides an adjustable brace which includes an assembly of a strut member and a relatively movable extension member, and means interconnecting the members adjustably to permit extension and retraction of the assembly between opposite ends there-of, whereby the brace may be inserted in a tubu lar roll or the like and extended between opposite inner surfaces thereof for supporting the surfaces, and subsequently retracted for removal of the brace. -In a further preferred structure, the brace includes shoes mounted on the opposite ends of the extensible assembly, and the roll surfaces are supported on the shoes.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a group of rolls 10 of sheet metal such as sheet steel stacked on their sides. Initially, the sheet metal is rolled in cylindrical tubular rolls for transportation and storage. However, as heretofore noted, the rolls may flatten or tend to collapse, depending on the weight of the material, so that an objectional set or crimp is imparted to the sheet metal due to excessive stresses caused by bending, and the stack may collapse. In accordance with the invention, the rolls 10 are supported internally and deformation of the material is prevented by adjustable braces 12 which are mounted within the rolls. In the illustration, a brace is shown adjacent to one end of each roll, and a second brace, not illustrated, is mounted adjacent to the opposite end of each roll in like manner. Alternatively, a single brace may be mounted in the center of each roll when the rolls are relatively short, and additional braces may be employed in longer rolls.

FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate the adjustable brace 12 seen in FIG. 1. The brace includes an externally-threaded screw shaft 14 providing a strut member, a pair of internallythreaded sleeves 16 providing extension members, and a pair of arcuate shoes or supporting members 18. The screw shaft 14 constitutes a cylindrical rod provided with a single standard coarse thread extending from its opposite ends to approximately the mid-point of the rod, where the thread is interrupted to provide an unthreaded stopportion 14a.

Each of the sleeves 16 is a cylindrical tubular member having an inner or proximal end 20 which is internallythreaded to match the shaft thread. Each sleeve has an outer or distal end 22 which is counterbored up to the internal thread, thereby providing a stop shoulder 23 at approximately the center of the sleeve. Each sleeve receives approximately one-half of the shaft in threaded engagement therein, with the shaft ends inserted in the inner ends 20 of the respective sleeves. Relative inward movement is limited by the unthreaded shaft stop portion 140.

A washer 24 is secured on each end of the shaft 14 by a screw 25 secured on the shaft. The washers move with the shaft in the counterbored outer sleeve ends 22, and they engage the sleeve shoulders 23 to limit relative outward movement of the sleeves on the shaft.

The shaft 14 and the sleeves 16 thus are interconnected adjustably by their interengaging screw threads to permit extension and retraction of the assembly between opposite ends thereof, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, by relative rotation of the members. The assembly may be extended and retracted between the limiting retracted condition illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a limiting extended condition wherein the washers 24 on the shaft engage the stop shoulders 23 on the sleeves. The assembly may be extended manually by grasping the sleeves and turning them in opposite directions to unscrew them from the shaft, and it may be retracted by reversing the directions of rotation to screw the sleeves on the shaft. For this purpose, each of the sleeves is provided with a knurled outer surface 26.

One shoe 18 is mounted on the outer end 22 of each sleeve 16. The shoes have the same construction, and each constitutes a transversely curved elongated plate which is rectangular in development, substantially corresponding to a section of a cylindrical tube. Each plate includes two parallel, transversely extending edges 18a on opposite ends thereof and two parallel, longitudinally extending edges 18b on opposite sides thereof.

'A circular countersunk opening 27 is provided in the center of each shoe. A generally cylindrical stud 28 is centrally mounted on the concave surface of each shoe and fixed thereto by an integral rivet 29 extending through the shoe opening. Each stud is received in the outer end 22 of one sleeve for mounting the shoe on the sleeve, and the studs form journals for the sleeves. Each stud is provided with a peripheral groove 30. A thumb screw 31 extends through a threaded opening in the outer end 22 of each sleeve and into the stud groove. The screws detachably secure the sleeves to the studs, thereby preventing relative axial displacement of the members, while permitting the sleeves to rotate freely relative to the studs and to the shoes. The sleeve outer ends 22 abut on the shoes for supporting them, and the outer edges of the sleeves may be curved to correspond to the curvature of the shoes, as described subsequently for the embodiment of FIG. 5. The inner ends of the studs are spaced apart from the washer screws 25 on the shaft in the limiting retracted condition of the shaft and sleeve assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to prevent binding.

In use, the adjustable brace 12 is inserted within a roll 10, so that the brace is in upstanding position in the roll cavity 12a with the shaft 14 spaced inwardly from the edge of the roll, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The brace extends diametrically between the top and bottom inner surfaces of the roll, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll. The shoes 18 are arranged to substantially conform to the adjacent surfaces of the roll, i.e., with the curved end edges 18a paralleling the circumference of the roll and the side edges 18b paralleling the longitudinal axis of the roll.

The shoes have a transverse convex curvature on their outer surfaces corresponding substantially to the arc of a circle, the diameter of which preferably is the same as or approximately the same as the internal diameter of the roll 10. In the illustrative preferred embodiment, the arc represents about one-sixth of the circumference of the circle, so that the two shoes extend over a total of about one-third of the inner circumference of the roll. The length of each shoe is somewhat greater than its width, as illustrated approximately to scale in the drawings. Each shoe thus extends in both directions over a substantial area of the inner Wall surfaces of the roll.

The brace is extended within the roll until the top and bottom inner surfaces of the roll are firmly supported on the shoes. For this purpose, the knurled sleeves 16 are grasped by the hands, and the sleeves are rotated relative to each other in opposite directions on the screw shaft 14, to unscrew the sleeves and move them apart on the shaft. The sleeves are turned until the shoes abut firmly on the respective opposite inner surfaces of the roll. At this time, the roll is supported over the substantial areas of the shoes, which are supported centrally by the shaft and sleeve assembly.

With each roll in a stack internally supported by one, two or more adjustable braces 12, distortion and collapse are substantially prevented. If desired, the brace may be inserted in a roll to extend diametrically in other directions, e.g., from side to side or obliquely. Similarly, rolls or the like may be supported by the brace in other configurations. For example, rolls may be supported in elliptical configurations, and braces may be mounted to coincide with the major axis, the minor axis, or both.

The brace 12 is removed easily from a roll at any time, simply by turning the sleeves 16 to bring them closer together on the shaft 14 and retract the shoes 18 from engagement with the inner surfaces of the roll. The brace or braces may be removed when a roll is placed in use, or may remain in position to serve as a frame while material is used from the roll, until such a time as the roll no longer need be supported or becomes loose. The braces may be stored conveniently while not in use, and the shoes may be detached from the sleeve and shaft assembly for very compact storage.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment 12' of the adjustable brace. Such embodiment is like the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4 except for the differences shown. In the second embodiment, a pair of internally-threaded tubular sleeves 32 is in threaded engagement with opposite ends of a cylindrical screw shaft 14, and a shoe 33 is rotatably mounted on the outer end of each of the sleeves. Each sleeve has a closed outer end 34, an integral cylindrical hub 35 of reduced diameter extending therefrom, and a curved tapered annular shoulder 36 around the hub. Each shoe has a central circular opening 38 and a counterbore 40 from the outer surface, which leaves an annular flange 42 on the shoe.

The hub 35 is loosely received in the shoe opening 38, and the flange 42 is rotatably seated on the shoulder 36. The hub extends outwardly beyond the flange and terminates within the counterbore 40. A circular retaining washer 44 is secured on the outer surface of the hub, by means of a crew 46 extending through the washer into threaded engagement with the sleeve end 34. The washer is received loosely within the counterbore 40. In this manner, the shoes are held captive on the sleeves while being rotatable relative thereto. The second embodiment 12' of the brace may be installed in the same manner as the first embodiment 12. The parts may be stored most compactly by removing the washers 44 and the shoes 33, or the brace may be stored conveniently without such removal of parts if desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates as a third embodiment 50 of the invention, a turnbuckle type of adjustable brace. The brace includes a supporting assembly comprising a pair of respectively right and left-hand externally-threaded cylindrical screw shafts 52 and 54, and a single internally-threaded tubular extension sleeve 56 having a knurled surface 58. One-half of the sleeve is provided with an internal righthand screw thread, and the remaining one-half is provided with an internal left-hand screw thread, respectively matching the threads of the screw shafts. The inner ends of the shafts are received in threaded engagement within the opposite ends of the sleeve, until the shafts abut in the center of the sleeve. Rotation of the sleeve in one direction with respect to the shafts causes the shafts to move apart and extend the assembly, and rotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction causes the shafts to come together and retract the assembly.

A pair of shoes 64 similar to the shoes of the preceding embodiments is mounted on the opposite ends of the supporting assembly. For this purpose, the outer end 60 of each of the screw shafts 52 and 54 is turned down to provide a reduced central hub 62 and a shoulder 63 adjacent thereto. The hub is cylindrical but may have any desired configuration. Each shoe has a central circular opening 66 which receives one of the hubs therein. A counterbore 68 extends from the outer surface of each shoe, and a retaining washer 70 is received therein. The counterbore leaves an annular flange 72 on the shoe adjacent to the hub 62. The flange thickness is at least as great as the depth of the hub. The washer is secured to the screw shaft by a screw 74 extending into the outer end thereof. The washer clamps the shoe flange 72 between it and the shoulder 63 on the screw shaft. The shoes are fixedly secured to the screw shafts in this manner, and the members are prevented from rotating relative to each other.

The adjustable brace 50 is employed in substantially the same manner as the preceding embodiments. It is inserted into a roll 10 with the shoes 64 conforming to opposite inner surfaces of the roll. The sleeve 56 is turned manually to extend the brace, until the shoes bear on the inner surfaces of the roll. When it is desired to remove the brace, the sleeve is turned in the opposite direction to retract the shoes from the roll surfaces. The brace may be stored with the parts assembled, or the shoes 64 may be removed for storage.

The invention thus provides an adjustable brace which is especially adapted to support rolls of sheet material and the like against collapse when the rolls are stored on their sides, thereby preventing objectionable deformation of the material and insuring that stacks of rolls do not collapse. Braces may be installed in a roll or group of rolls and removed therefrom easily and rapidly. The brace is useful also as an internal support for coiled materials, tubular articles and structures, and the like. It is simple, compact, economical, strong and durable.

It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An adjustable brace adapted for supporting the inner surfaces of variously sized tubular rolls and the like, said brace comprising an assembly of a screw shaft and a pair of internally-threaded sleeves having inner ends in threaded engagement with opposite ends of said shaft, said shaft and sleeves being rotatable relative to each other for thereby extending and retracting said assembly between the outer ends of said sleeves, means interengaging said shaft and said sleeves for limiting the exten sion of said assembly, an arcuate plate mounted on the outer end of each of said sleeves, said plates each having a convex outer surface as mounted and extending transversely and longitudinally over a substantial area of an inner surface of a tubular roll in which the brace is inserted in substantial conformity with such surface for supporting the roll over the area of the plate, a stud fixed to each plate centrally of the plate and received in the outer end of the corresponding sleeve for mounting the plate thereon, said studs forming journals for said sleeves, and means detachably securing said sleeves to said studs rotatably thereon, whereby the brace may be inserted in a tubular roll and extended between opposite inner surfaces thereof for supporting the surfaces on said plates and subsequently retracted for removal of the brace.

2. An adjustable brace adapted for supporting the inner surfaces of variously sized tubular rolls and the like, said brace comprising a three-piece assembly of at least one screw shaft member and at least one internally threaded sleeve member, said members including a central member and a pair of like end members in threaded engagement with the central member, said central and end members being rotatable relative to each other for thereby extending and retracting said assembly between the outer ends of said end members, at least one of said members having a knurled outer surface whereby the member may be manually grasped and rotated, and a pair of like ar-cuate plates mounted centrally thereof on the outer ends of said end members respectively, said plates each having a convex outer surface as mounted and extending transversely and longitudinally over a substantial area of an inner surface of a tubular roll in which the brace is inserted in substantial conformity with such surface for supporting the roll over the area of the plate, whereby the brace may be inserted in a tubular roll and extended between opposite inner surfaces thereof for supporting the surfaces on said plates and subsequently retracted for removal of the brace.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 846,976 3/ 1907 Bonar 248-354 1,054,246 2/ 1913 Stauffer 248-354 4,382,505 6/1921 Hargey 248-354 X 1,662,152 3/1928 Logg 248-354 X 1,796,173 3/1931 Warren 254-98 2,004,462 6/1935 Bush 25-131 2,462,662 2/ 1949 Niceley 254-351 2,672,162 3/ 1954 Brauer 138-97 2,809,664 10/1957 Vollmar 138-103 2,844,905 7/1958 Musser et al 254-354X 3,083,795 4/1963 Land 248-354 FOREIGN PATENTS 529,549 9/ 1921 France. 213,273 1/ 1941 Switzerland.

JOHN PETO, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE BARCE ADAPTED FOR SUPPORTING THE INNER SURFACES OF VARIOUSLY SIZED TUBULAR ROLLS AND THE LIKE, SAID BRACE COMPRISING AN ASSEMBLY OF A SCREW SHAFT AND A PAIR OF INTERNALLY-THREADED SLEEVES HAVING INNER ENDS IN THREADED ENGAGEMENT WITH OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SHAFT, SAID SHAFT AND SLEEVES BEING ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER FOR THEREBY EXTENDING AND RETRACTING SAID ASSEMBLY BETWEEN THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID SLEEVES, MEANS INTERENGAGING SAID SHAFT AND SAID SLEEVES FOR LIMITING THE EXTENSION OF SAID ASSEMBLY, AN ARCUATE PLATE MOUNTED ON THE OUTER END OF EACH OF SAID SLEEVES, SAID PLATES EACH HAVING A CONVEX OUTER SURFACE AS MOUNTED AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY AND LONGITUDINALLY OVER A SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF AN INNER SURFACE OF A TUBULAR ROLL IN WHICH THE BRACE IS INSERTED IN SUBSTANTIAL CONFORMITY WITH SUCH SURFACE FOR SUPPORTING THE ROLL OVER THE AREA OF THE PLATE, A STUD FIXED TO EACH PLATE CENTRALLY OF THE PLATE AND RECEIVED IN THE OUTER END OF THE CORRESPONDING SLEEVE FOR MOUNTING THE PLATE THEREON, SAID STUDS FORMING JOURNALS FOR SAID SLEEVES, AND MEANS DETACHABLY SECURING SAID SLEEVES TO SAID STUDS ROTATABLY THEREON, WHEREBY THE BRACE MAY BE INSERTED IN A TUBULAR ROLL AND EXTENDED BETWEEN OPPOSITE INNER SURFACES THEREOF FOR SUPPORTING THE SURFACES ON SAID PLATES AND SUBSEQUENTLY RETRACTED FOR REMOVAL OF THE BRACE. 